American Zionists Salute Israel; Celebration at New York City Hall Today

The American Zionist Council, representative of all Zionist organizations and groups in the United States, with an aggregate of 750,000 members, called upon American Jews today to re-commit themselves to aid Israel, economically, socially and politically, on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the founding of modern Israel. The official anniversary this year is being observed tomorrow.

Rabbi Irving Miller, president of the American Zionist Council, issued the call to America Jewry, marking Israel’s anniversary. He urged “greater efforts not only for the economic stability of Israel” but also “to ensure its position as a bulwark of democracy in the Middle East.” He called also for the strengthening of “the bonds of fellowship” between American Jews and Israel, urging the Jews in this country “to commit themselves,” along with the Israelis, “to the common task of making the ideals of Judaism come true.”

As a-series of celebrations of Israel’s anniversary was scheduled for tonight and tomorrow–at New Yorks City Hall, at the United Nations, and at the headquarters of the Israeli mission here–leaders of many other Jewish organizations issued statements congratulating Israel on its Independence Day, and urging further efforts by Americans, Jews included, to strengthen the friendly relations between the United States, American Jewry and Israel.

From Israel came a message from Dewey D. Stone, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Inc., and national chairman of the United Israel Appeal. “Like the father of young Bar Mizvah,” stated Mr. Stone, “American Jews on this 13th anniversary of Israel’s independence fully realize that their task has not yet been completed.” The anniversary, he pointed out, “is no more than a special milestone” and must inspire American Jews toward greater efforts in the years to come.

Max Bressler, president of the Zionist Organization of America, declared in a special message that, “in this solemn hour, we rededicate ourselves anew to the fulfillment of the great and sacred unfinished tasks devolving upon the Zionist movement as reaffirmed at the last World Zionist Congress.” Mrs. Siegfried Kramarsky, national president of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, said that her organization “joins with freedom-loving peoples everywhere” in celebrating the anniversary.

The Israel Bond Organization announced that scores of special meetings and rallies will launch the bond drive’s spring campaign in honor of Israel’s 13th anniversary. Ninety-eight leaders of the bond campaign in the United States and Canada today sent a congratulatory cable to Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, pledging anew “to help Israel attain its goals of fulfillment and peace.”

ISRAEL ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION TONIGHT AT UNITED NATIONS

Among the anniversary events scheduled is a formal celebration on the steps of New York’s City Hall, tomorrow, where the principal participants will be New York Mayor Robert F. Wagner and Israel’s Consul-General here, Dr. Binyamin Eliav, and Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller.

At the United Nations, a special diplomatic reception will be held tomorrow night by Michael S. Comay, Israel’s permanent representative to the UN. At the same time, a special anniversary party will be held at the headquarters of Israel’s mission here, with every member of the Israeli colony in New York, and many other friends of Israel, invited.

Tonight, Dr. Eliav was host to guests invited to a special showing of the new film, “They Were Ten,” a motion picture made in Israel and already praised by all New York critics.

Many radio and television networks and local stations throughout the country are also programming special events connected with Israel’s anniversary, including documentaries showing Israel’s vast achievements during the last 13 years.